Becoming a

WCF Foster Carer

"If you're thinking about it, do it. It is the most reward thing you can do. It is worth every minute of your life." Mick, William Campbell Foundation Carer

Becoming a WCF Foster Carer

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, our Carer Team will be conducting information sessions and assessments differently to adhere to the regulations. We appreciate your understanding during this time. We look forward to receiving your interest in becoming a Foster Carer.

Becoming a Foster Carer is a big decision for you and your family and one of the most rewarding decisions you can make. We encourage you to talk with your family and friends about becoming a foster carer, as they will be one of our important support networks throughout your journey.

It is important that all members of the family are on board with this decision.

Foster care is the significant link for children and young people to move out of the Out of Home Care system and into safe and permanent homes. When a child or young person is placed into care, we are working with you towards a permanent pathway. To read more about the different types of care and permanent pathways click here.

What is the process of becoming a Foster Carer?

Below are the steps to becoming a foster carer. We want you to keep in mind that our carer team are with you every step of the way. You will be supported and guided through the whole process.

1. Initial enquiry - You can do this by filling out the enquiry form to the right.

2. Information session - An information session is conducted with you and your family to get to know you better and answer any questions you may have.

This information session is an opportunity for us together to decide if foster care is right for you and your family. If foster care is right for you and your family, you will then receive your foster carer information pack containing important documents and information for your next steps in becoming a foster carer. This includes compulsory checks and forms.

3. Probity checking - Probity checking includes:

Working with Children Check
National Criminal Record Check - Having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from becoming a carer. The nature of the offence will be taken into consideration as part of your assessment.
Medical Check
Housing Safety Checklist Assessment
Community Services Check
Referee Check
ID Check
Applicant to complete Life History

This is all included in your pack and explained at the information session. Once all your checks and forms have been cleared you will then be invited to go through carer training called Shared Lives.

4. Training - Shared Lives is three sessions of training that includes working with birth families, trauma, therapeutic approach, brain development, attachment, working as part of a team, identity and culture and promoting positive behaviour. Shared Lives is conducted by our highly trained carer team.

Click here to see upcoming dates for the Shared Lives training - a course for new and prospective Foster Carers.

5. Assessment - William Campbell Foundation uses the Step by Step Assessment tool which includes:

Personal life history and support networks
Trauma, grief and loss history
Working with birth families
Personal resilience
Providing trauma-informed care
Promoting a child's self-image, culture and identity
Working as part of a team

The step by step assessment is designed to assess your competencies in all of these areas to provide safe care for children and young people. Our carer team will support you through this entire process and provide pathways to achieve these competencies.

6. Authorisation - At the end of the assessment process you will be authorised to care for a child or young person and the conditions of the authorisation will be discussed with you. This may include the number of children and young people you are authorised to care for, their ages and gender. Part of this process will include your authorisation being recorded in Carer Register. Information regarding the Carer Register will be included in your carer information pack. You can also visit their website for more information.

7. Ongoing Training and Support - At William Campbell Foundation we will be with you every step of your foster care journey. We provide ongoing training, 24/7 on-call support, regular caseworker visits, regular carer team contact and visits, clinical services support and a financial allowance to assist with the everyday expense of raising a child.

We know this process may appear a little overwhelming, but we are committed to ensuring we are providing the highest level of care, safety, well being and permanency to children and young people who are unable to live with their families.